Activator Complexes for Low-Temp Alkaline Peroxide Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clean in place (CIP) methods for removing soils from hard surfaces in industrial applications, such as food and beverage processing, require high temperatures, leading to energy and water wastage and inefficiency in removing tenacious soils like carbohydrate, protein, and fat residues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a composition containing an activator complex, a source of alkalinity, and an active oxygen source at reduced temperatures (5°C to 50°C), which generates oxygen gas in situ to break down and remove soils, reducing the need for high heat and chemical usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clean in place methods use high temperatures to remove tenacious soils, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high (conventional) to low (invention), and compensates by changing the chemical composition parameters - specifically introducing activator complexes with transition metals and peroxide compositions that enable effective cleaning at lower temperatures through enhanced chemical reactivity rather than thermal energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal mechanism (heat-based cleaning) with a chemical mechanism (activator complex and peroxide reaction). Instead of relying on high temperature to break down soils, the invention uses chemical reactions between the activator complex and peroxide to generate reactive oxygen species that chemically degrade soils at lower temperatures
2Reliability
If conventional clean in place methods use high temperatures to remove soils, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high to low, and compensates by optimizing chemical composition parameters. The activator complex and peroxide formulation is designed to work effectively at lower temperatures, reducing the need for large volumes of hot water for both application and rinsing
3Reliability
If conventional methods use high chemical usage to remove tenacious soils, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but chemical consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cleaning system combining the activator complex (containing transition metals) with peroxide compositions. This composite material works synergistically - the activator complex enhances the reactivity of the peroxide, generating reactive oxygen species that are much more effective at breaking down tenacious soils than either component alone, thereby reducing overall chemical consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs strong oxidizing action through the reaction between the activator complex and peroxide, which generates reactive oxygen species. This accelerated oxidation process rapidly breaks down carbohydrate, protein, and fat soils that are resistant to conventional cleaning, achieving effective soil removal with reduced chemical quantities
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables effective soil removal at lower temperatures and reduced chemical consumption, resulting in energy and water savings while maintaining the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
generating a gas on and in the soil
Implementation Method 2
an active oxygen source
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides for the use of activator complexes to enhance lower temperature cleaning in alkaline peroxide cleaning systems. Compositions including an activator complex, an active oxygen source, and a source of alkalinity are applied to the surface to be cleaned at temperatures between about 5°C and about 50°C. The methods of the present invention provide for enhanced soil removal with reduced energy, water, and chemistry consumption.